Chapter 40: Bright Eyes, Night Vision, Seeing Ghosts and Gods

"...The inspection begins at Mao Shi [5-7 AM] and ends at Si Shi [9-11 AM]."

"Everyone is to carry a second-tier soul-guiding lamp and conduct patrols, covering the Lake District, Bay Area, and the thirty-two blocks of the Wharf."

"The inspection involves appeasing the souls of the deceased and other wandering spirits."

"Appease ten souls without invoking 'Summoning the Gods,' and you'll be rated as Grade A."

"Appease five souls without invoking 'Summoning the Gods,' and you'll be rated as Grade B."

"Appease three souls without invoking 'Summoning the Gods,' and you'll be rated as Grade C."

"If you can't even appease one soul, you must quickly 'Summon the Gods.' Do not compromise the peace of the villagers for the sake of a rating."

"If 'Summoning the Gods' is necessary, the inspection will conclude early. Is that clear to everyone?"

"Understood, Lord Meng."

As Meng Yun, the temple priest, finished speaking, the young disciples dispersed to prepare for the upcoming inspection.

Zhao Xing activated his Bright Eyes and saw Meng Yun carrying a bundle on his back. Inside the bundle was a person about two feet tall. The figure had a ruddy complexion, holding a small crescent knife, with a stern and righteous expression. Initially, its eyes were closed, but suddenly they opened, even smiling at Zhao Xing.

Bright Eyes, Night Vision, seeing ghosts and gods! Before seeing any ghosts, he first saw the temple's revered deity.

Zhao Xing clasped his hands in respect, then quickly retracted his magic arts. Looking with his naked eyes, he saw only an ordinary wooden statue behind Meng Yun.

"Hmm? How did the True Lord awaken?" Meng Yun sensed something and turned to look, but Zhao Xing had already shifted his gaze.

"What a capable fellow, carrying the Earl of East Lake on his back. With such a presence, even a cartload of ghosts wouldn't dare approach."

The current stage of wandering spirits generally lacked the power to do more than disturb ordinary people's dreams, causing fatigue and mental exhaustion for a few days. Unless someone deliberately nurtured spirits, which was a serious crime, they would be deemed an outsider demon if discovered.

Moreover, with the temple priest bringing out the Earl of East Lake's divine presence, Zhao Xing could dance among a pile of ghosts, and they wouldn't dare touch a hair on him.

After all, he was a man once favored by the Earl of East Lake!

"Young Master, what are you looking at?" Xu Laoba asked curiously, noticing Zhao Xing had suddenly stopped walking.

"Oh, nothing. I thought I saw someone familiar, but I must have been mistaken," Zhao Xing replied casually.

"Shall we continue wandering, or go somewhere to work?" Xu Laoba couldn't help but urge. They had been wandering for over half a shi chen [an hour], and the master showed no sign of stopping. The money was too easy to earn, making Xu Laoba uneasy. Two or three hundred coins were no small amount.

"No rush, no rush. Let's eat something first," Zhao Xing said, entering a food stall and ordering several skewers of grilled meat. "Eat as much as you like, it's on me, but no alcohol to avoid any mishaps."

"Alright, thank you, Young Master," Xu Laoba said, not holding back, ordering dozens of skewers. Seeing Zhao Xing's lack of reaction, he thought this Young Master was truly generous. He decided not to let him return empty-handed tonight.

After eating several skewers of grilled meat, a few bowls of rice noodles, and four grilled fish, they spent about a thousand coins. The taste was good, and the portions were generous, making it worth the price.

Xu Laoba stopped eating at seventy percent full, as he still had to dive later. Zhao Xing was only half full, so he continued ordering more.

Watching, Xu Laoba thought to himself, "This master looks tall and thin, but who knew he could eat so much? I'm already seventy percent full, and he's eaten almost as much as me and still can eat? Could he be a martial artist?"

Though Zhao Xing wasn't a martial artist, his body constitution at the third stage of Gathering Essence was far superior to Xu Laoba's, naturally giving him a larger appetite.

Just as he was eating a grilled fish, a sudden gust of wind blew through the stall.

"Hmm?" Zhao Xing paused, sensitive to the wind. This inexplicable breeze was clearly not normal.

"Is this Yin Wind? And it carries some moisture... Is a water ghost coming ashore?"

Rising Wind Magic Arts had an advanced direction called 'Yin Wind Assault,' typically learned by military sorcerers. Zhao Xing discerned that this was not a man-made Yin Wind, but felt the moisture in it, realizing a water ghost was indeed coming ashore.

He saw a ghostly figure, drenched and wandering aimlessly on the street. It wore silk, was plump, and drifted without purpose.

After observing for a while and confirming no warning signs, Zhao Xing calculated the time and realized it was almost the end of the hour.

"Wait here for me, don't move. I'll come back for you," Zhao Xing said, settling the bill and following the ghost.

"Huh? Young Master... where did he go?" Xu Laoba was puzzled, seeing Zhao Xing walk away slowly, but he vanished into the crowd in the blink of an eye. "Truly strange."

Zhao Xing, with wind beneath his feet, quickly caught up with the plump wandering spirit, walking shoulder to shoulder with it.

Bright Eyes Nine Turns could see ghosts and gods, naturally allowing communication. Zhao Xing observed for a moment and asked, "Great Uncle, what are you looking for?"

The plump ghost turned its head, hair wet and sticking to its forehead, lips pale: "I'm looking for the way home."

Zhao Xing clasped his hands and asked, "May I ask where your home is, Great Uncle?"

The plump ghost muttered, "I'm from Junxi, living in the South Jia Mansion of Dangyou County."

Junxi? Dangyou County? Zhao Xing was still processing where this place was when the ghost murmured, "But I can't find it, I can't find it..."

At this moment, Zhao Xing realized that Dangyou County was a Lower County, merged with another Lower County 'Pingshan' twelve years ago, renamed 'You Shan County.'

No wonder you can't find it; your body drifted from Junxi to Jun South!

Does this mean this person has been dead for at least twelve years?!

Zhao Xing pondered for a moment and continued, "Great Uncle, you want to go home, but do you have any messages to deliver?"

The plump ghost nodded, "Yes, I want to tell my family that I'm dead, so they can retrieve my remains. I also want to tell them I have a box of silver buried..."

"Where is it buried?"

The plump ghost suddenly twisted its head, ghostly fire blazing in its eyes: "Why should I tell you? You're not my family."

"..."

No problem, very reasonable.

After speaking, the plump ghost continued its aimless wandering, muttering, "I'm from Junxi, living in the South Jia Mansion of Dangyou County. I want to go home, but where is home? I can't find it..."

Zhao Xing was about to communicate further when suddenly he heard a clear shout from ahead: "Soul, return!"

Then he saw a golden light shine on the plump ghost, which stopped muttering and involuntarily walked towards the source of the golden light.

The people around were oblivious to the sound and golden light anomaly, but Zhao Xing heard and saw it. He saw a figure ahead holding a soul-guiding lamp, one of the temple's inspection officers.

No need for applause, just ask for free tickets and to follow the new book list. There will be an explosive release upon launch! (End of this chapter)